Congress leaders brief Rahul Gandhi on Karnataka govt. formation developments

A section of the Karnataka Congress is believed to have suggested having two deputy chief ministers from the party.

Ghulam Nabi Azad. File photo

Senior Congress leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, Ashok Gehlot and the Karnataka in charge, K.C. Venugopal, met Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Monday to brief him on the developments on government formation in Karnataka.

This was ahead of Karnataka chief minister-designate H.D. Kumaraswamy's meeting Mr. Gandhi to invite him for his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday.

"We have met the Congress president and briefed him on the developments. Mr. Kumaraswamy will meet Rahulji later in the day," Mr. Azad told reporters after meeting Mr Gandhi.

Though Mr. Azad didn't specify the details of government formation, a section of the Karnataka Congress is believed to have suggested having two deputy chief ministers from the party. Party's Dalit face G. Parameshwar is the frontrunner.

There is also a demand for the position to be given to a Lingayat leader.

Asked if the Congress-JD(S) are still together, Mr. Azad said, "We have all the 117 MLAs with us and we will meet in due course and get the Speaker elected."